Apparatus for automatically withdrawing gas samples



June 9, 1931. 1,809,325

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WITHDRAWING GAS SAMPLES J. F. AUSTIN ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.

nv ENTIORS BY Md Ms W A TTORNEY June 9, 1931. J. F. AUSTIN ET AL 2 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WITHDRAWING GAS SAMPLES Filed Nov. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M gy zvrgges I J v BY WWW-MW m D W M. M N u R Q A TTORNEY Patented June 9, 1931 JOHN F. AUSTIN, on MURRAY, Ann DONALD mmenv'rosn, on say: LAKE. clrm'u rAn,

ASSIGNORS '10 AMERICAN smnmrnennn REFINING GOMPANY,

A conPonATIonorNEw JERSEY V APPARATUS non AUTOMATICALLY wrccnnnawrne A SAMP ES Application filed November15, 1927. Serial 'No. 233,353;

' The present invention relates in general to the art of metallurgy, and more particularly to a system for operating a metallurgical furnace. In running a blast furnace or other metallurgical'furnace -it-'is often desirable to know the condition within the materialsfed thereto may be properly regulated and the furnace run at maximum efficiency. For this purpose, a sampling tube may be projected into the furnace and samples of furnace gas withdrawn at desired intervals. 'Thesampling' tube may be used also as an auxiliary flue or tuyere when not used for takingsamples.

The present invention contemplates an automatic arrangement for automatically tak-I lng samples at predetermined times and connecting a source of-compressed air to the sampling tube during the intervals. Suitable means are included for preventing con tamination of the samples with compressed air or with prior samples left inthe connectin the sample reservolrr In gents are controlled by acam drum slowly by a ratchet, this suitable followers for opvalves to cause different the apparatus for the ing pipes or eral the eve which may be run cam drum having erating the different connections between different events. i

The invention also consists in certain new andoriginal features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly-pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of itsoperation and the lee-better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanymgdrawings forming a part thereof,in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan lay-out of the system, parts being shown in normal position in whichthe samplingtube is used as an auxiliary tuyere;

Fig. 2 *is a clet'aiil showingthe control valves in normal position;

furnace so that the manner of its organization may Fig. 3 is a detail of the control valves shown 'in'Fig. 2, the valves being in position-fortakr ing a sample of furnace gases; Fig. 4 .a detail showing the exhaust valves in normal position, E I

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1-; V r

Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating the'drive of the camwheels; i' i Fig. 7 is adetailillustrating the operation of the exhaust valves; and I Fig. .8 is, an elevat'on of a blast furnace il- 1 lustrating the sampling tube disposed therewhich is most .critical to conditions within i V the furnace. 7 It will be appreciated that the system of the" present invention may .be used 7 with any kind of furnace and withanyf kind of sampling tube or device; I I:

' The sampling tube 2 comprises an inner pipe'B, through which. the sample is :ta-ken. surrounded by an outer water jacketll to which is connected suitable circulating pipes 5-for cooling. Disposed within the inner :pipe 3 is a reciprocating rod 6 for aiding in preventing clogging of the pipe. The rod 7 firhas' connected thereto :a cable 7 running over a suitable guide pulley .8, this cable being connected to a device ,(not'shown) for reciprocating the rod. I

A source'of compressedia'ir ,9' is connected :to the sampling tube2ithrough a set '01? three control valves 10, 11 and 12. A reservoir 13 9 is 1 also connected to the sampling tube. Dis: posed between the sampling tube and the reservoir is another control valve 14, a length of pipe 15 having steel wooltherein, a water seal filter 16, and-a mercury seal pressure reducer 17. Piped on from the sample reservoir 13 is the gas analyzing apparatus 115 and the exhaust valves 19 and 20.

The water seal filter 16, indicated diagrammatically, comprises a suitable chamber 21 having water in the bottom thereof in which the incoming pipe 22 is immersed. Disposed above the water is a suitable mass of cotton 23. The outgoing pipe 24 communicates with the upper part of the chamber.

The mercury pressure reducer 17 comprises in general ,afU-shaped container 25 having a mass of mercury in the bottom thereof. The incoming pipe 26 is immersed in the mercury and the outgoing pipe 27 leaves the upper portion of the chamber. A bolt 28 is threaded'into the chamber for regulating the height of the mercury.

The reservoir 13 comprises a chamber 29 having a bell 30 adapted to reciprocate therein. A suitable sealing liquid is provided which may be glycerine. The communicating pipe31 leads through the bottom of the chamber and into the bell 30 through the open bottom thereof to a point above the liquid level.

air tank 9'and the sampling tube 2 comprise the one-way valve 10 and two two-way valves 11 and 12. Between the two-way valve 12 and the reservoir 13 is another two-way valve 14. The pipes 32 and 33 of the two-way valves 11 and-'14 open but to the atmosphere. The exhaust valves 19 and 20vcomprise simple stop cocks, onej 20 being normally in open position and the other 19 being normally in closed position. I

The mechanism for operating the several valves comprises a cam shaft 34having a plurality of cams 35, 36, 37 and 38 mounted thereon, each cam being notched at a predetermined position. For rotating the cam shaft 34 in the. direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 5, a ratchet arrangement isprovided including a ratchet wheel 39 secured tothe shaft. The arrangement also includes a pawl 41 pivotally mounted on a pawl arm .40 which is mounted on the cam shaft and oscillated by cable 42 passing over suitable pulleys 44 and connected to the reciprocating cable 7 at 43.- Suitablestops 45 are provided for limiting the movement of the arm 40, and a spring 46 is provided for causing the arm 40 to return to normal position. A second pawl 47 is provided for preventing backward motion of the cam shaft 34. Y

Cooperating with each camis a cam follower 48' journalled upon a follower shaft 49. Each follower'has a spring 50 for caus-' ing it to move forward when it engages in the notch of its cam., Each follower has a rod connected thereto having suitable stops thereon. The follower rods 51 and 52 have stops for engaging levers on the valves 10, 1 1 and 12 for operating them, as will here- The control valves between the compressed inafter be pointed out. The follower rods 53 and 54 have stops thereon for operating the valve 14 as will hereinafter be pointed out. Disposed upon the plug of each exhaust Valve 19 and 20 is a U-shaped lever 55. A rod 56 is secured to each of the followers 48 cooperating with cams 35 and 38 and disposed in the til-shaped lever 55 for operating'it as will be pointed out.

As the cable 7 and 42 oscillate back and s forth, the ratchet and pawl arrangement will cause the cam shaft 34 to slowly rotate in the direction ofthe'arrow shown in Fig. 5. ihe system is such that in normal position the valvesare disposed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, communication being established between the compressed air tank 9 and the sampling tube 2. /Vh'en the predetermined time for taking a sample arrives, the cam 35 will allow its follower to enter its recess to cause the follower rod 51 to move quickly and shift the three valves 10, 11 and 12 to the position shown in Fig. 3. This cuts off communication to the sampling tube from the compressed air tank and connects the sam pling tube directly to the atmosphere at 33. The atmospheric connection 32 allows compressed air leaking through valve 10 to pass to the atmosphere and thus insures no contamination of the sample by compressed air. The operation of theefollower 48 of the cam 35 also causes the exhaust valve 19 to open. Thus, while the furnace gases are blowing out to atmosphere, the reservoir 13 is allowed to exhaust its previous sample, if not already exhausted by being tapped off to the gas analyzing apparatus. I

After the sample blows out at 33 for a sufficient time to blow out contaminating gases from the piping, the cam 38 causes follower rod 54 quickly to move the valve 14 to the position shown in Fig. 3. This allows the furnace gases to blow through the apparatus 14, 15 and 16 into the sample reservoir 13. This position of the valves 10,11, 12 and 14 is maintained until the sample reservoir is filled with thedesired amount. The cam 38 also causes its follower 48 toclose exhaust valve 20, thus closing the, reservoir even though the exhaust valve 19 is still open, to prevent escape of the'new sample now being conducted into the reservoir.

After the reservoir is filled with the sample, the follower rod 53 operates to move the valve 14 back to the position shown in Fig. 2, this cutting off the supply of sample to the reservoir. The operation of the follower rod 53 is closely followed by follower rod 52 which moves the valves 10,11 and 12 back to the position shown in Fig.2 in which compressed air is againconveyed to the sampling tube. This condition remains until it is time to take a new sample, when the operation of the parts above described is repeated.

Thus the automatic system offurnace control insures that samples are taken at predeterinined and regular intervals and that the samples are not contaminated by either the compressed air or prior samples. When samples are not being taken, compressed air is blowing through the sample tube causing it' to operate as an auxiliary tuyere which, in

conjunction with thereciprocating rod, prevents clogging of the sample tube. The steel wool in pipe 15 and the water seal '16 remove particles of solid matter from the furnace gases, insuringthe'reception of pure gas by the reservoir. The system is reliable and efficient and its employment aids materially in the efficient operation of the furnace.

WVhile certain novel features'of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexedclaims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its, operation may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the inven tion.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic gas sampling system, a furnace, a sampling tube within said furnace, a reservoir, gas sampling apparatus connected thereto, a source of compressed air, means for automatically (1) connecting said tube to said source, (2) cutting off said air and con necting said tube to the atmosphere, and'connecting said reservoir to the atmosphere, (3) connecting said tube and reservoir,and stopping communication between said reservoir and atmosphere, (4) cutting off said tube and reservoir, and (5) connecting said tube to said source.

2. In an automatic gas sampling system, 'a furnace, a source of air pressure, a sampling tube within said furnace, a gas sample reservoir, conduits connecting said source, tube and reservoir, valve devices in said conduits, and means for operating said valve devices to (1) admit air into said tube, (2) cut off said air and connect said tube with the at mosphere, (3) connect said tube and reservoir and (4) cut off said tube from said reservoir.

3. In an automatic gas sampling system, a furnace, a source of air pressure, a sampling tube within said furnace having a plunger rod, a gas sample reservoir, conduits connecting said source, tube and reservoir, valve devices in said conduits, first means for reciprocating said plunger, and means operable by said first means for operating said valve devii-c-esto (1) admit air into said tube, (2) cut off said air and connect said tube with the atmosphere, (3) connect said tube and reservoir and (4) cut off said tube from said reservoir.

4. In an automaticgas sampling system, a furnace, a sampling device within said furnace, a reservoir, gas sampling apparatus means for periodically selectively connecting a said device to said source or to said reservoir, and means for automatically periodically exhausting said reservoir before connecting said device and reservoir.

5. In an automatic gas sampling system,a furnace, a sampling device within said furnace, gas sampling apparatus, a source of compressedair, and means for automatically periodically selectively connecting said sampling device to said air source or to said sampling apparatus. 1

6. In a system of the class described, a plurality of valves, a pair of followers 'for op-f' erating certain of said valves, a pair of followers for operating other of said valves, one

follower of each pair moving its valvesfrom normal position, the otherfollower of each pair mov ng its valves back to normal position, a source of air, a sampling device, a reservoir, said valves controlling the interval and directionof gas or compressedair circu lation, a pair of exhaust valves connected to said reservoir, and means for operating said exhaust valves by a follower of each pair.

7. In a system of the class described, a reservoir, two valves serially connected to each other and to said reservoir and atmosphere, one of said valves being normallyop'en and the other normally closed, a-sampling de vice, means for connecting said device to at'-; mosphere and for opening said normally closed valve both means for connecting said device to said reservoir and for closing said normally open valve both at about the same time.

8. In a system of the class described, a first source of fluid, a second source of fluid and areservoir, a first two way valve connected to said first source, a conduitincluding. second, two-way valve opening to atmosphere and a third, one-way valve connecting said first valve and said second source, a conduit including a fourth two-way valve opening to atmosphere connecting said first valve. and reservoir, said valves having operating levers, a pair of follower rods on opposite sides of said'first three valves having abutments engaging the levers thereof, a second pair of. follower rods on opposite sides of said fourth valve having abutments engaging I the levers thereof, one rod of each pair movat about the same time, and

ing its valves away from normal position,

our hands.

JOHN F. AUSTIN.

DONALD H. M INTOSH- connected thereto, a source of compressed air, 

